Wheel and axle nut wrench



July 13, 1954 R. A. KAPLAN WHEEL AND AXLE NUT WRENCH Filed June 2, 1951 Ii 2 I INVEN TOR. REL/BEN A. KAFLAN ATTOPNEYS Patented July 13, 1954 assess WHEEL AND AXLE NUT WRENCH Reuben A. Kaplan, Owatonna, Minn, assignor to Owatonna Tool Company, Owatonna, Minn, a corporation of Minnesota Application June 2, 1951, Serial No. 229,555

7 Claims.

various sizes such as commonly utilized on tubular 3 axle housings and axles and front wheel spindles of automotive vehicles, and an object of the invention is to provide such a wrench which may readily and quickly be applied or clamped onto an axle nut, whereby the wrench, when once it has been secured to the axle nut, is not likely to accidentally become detached therefrom, when the wrench is manipulated to remove the nut or secure it to the axle.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a wrench having means adapted to be positioned in the path of the usual studs provided at the end of a wheel hub, whereby when the wrench has been properly applied to the axle nut, and the wheel hub is manually rotated upon its axle, certain of the studs at the end of the wheel hub will engage the means on the wrench and thereby rotate the wrench to unscrew the nut from the axle, or secure it in position thereon.

A further object is to provide an axle nut comprising a substantially U-shaped body provided at one end with a pair of jaws adapted to engage and grip the usual nut of a tubular wheel axle housing and said wrench having an elongated member or shank supported therein, one end of which projects beyond the ends of said jaws for insertion into the bore of the tubular axle, thereby to serve as a pilot for guiding the jaws of the wrench into engagement with the axle nut and providing support and maintaining alignment so that the wrench does not twist off the nut, said nuts usually being very thin or shallow, which makes maintenance of alignment very important.

A further object is to provide a wrench of the class described having an elongated shank sup ported therein and provided at one end with a reduced extension adapted to be received in the bore of a tubular axle and a pair of pilot washers being secured to said reduced extension in axially spaced relation and slidably fitting in the axle bore, thereby to facilitate axially guiding the jaws into engagement with the axle nut, said pilot washers being detachably secured to saidshank whereby pilot washers of different diameters may be interchangeably secured thereto to adapt the wrench for axle tubes of varying diameters.

A further object is to provide an axle nut wrench of the class described, comprising a pair of jaws and a bolt for actuating said jaws to grippingly engage an axle nut, and said wrench having a pilot shankprovided at one end with a transversely disposed aperture and at its opposite end with a reduced extension having means for detachably securing a pair of pilot washers thereto, when the wrench is to be utilized for manipulating the nut of a tubular axle housing, said pilot shank being reversibly supported in the wrench body whereby the pilot end thereof may be positioned at the opposite end of the jaws, thereby to adapt the wrench for manipulating the nut of an axle or spindle.

Other objects of the invention reside in the simple and inexpensive construction of the Wrench, as a whole, and in the simple manner of supporting the pilot shank in the wrench body, whereby pilot washers of different diameters may be interchangeably secured thereto to adapt the wrench for axle housings of varying inside diameters; and in the provision of means whereby the jaws of the wrench may be quickly adjusted to adapt the wrench for nuts of various diameters, and also for wheel structures wherein the inward spacing of the nut from the face of the whee hub may vary.

These and other objects of the invention and the means for their attainment will be more apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown, as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective, illustrating the general construction of my improved axle nut wrench;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a portion of a wheel and rear axle housing with the wrench applied to the usual wheel bearing adjusting nut, and the pilot washers being positioned within the bore of the housing;

Figure 3 is a view showing the pilot shank turned end-for-end in thewrench body to condition the wrench for manipulating the nut of an axle or spindle, such as are commonly used on the front wheel spindles of automotive vehicles, solid trailer axles, etc. and

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view on the line 2- 5 of Figure 2, with some of the parts omitted.

The novel axle nut wrench herein disclosed is shown comprising a substantially U-shaped body 2 provided at one end with a pair of jaws 3-3, which preferably are made integral with the wrench body 2. The body 2 is preferably constructed of a suitable resilient metal and is so formed that the jaws constantly tend to open as a result of the resiliency of the metal.

The jaws 33 are shaped to lit the opposed sides of a hexagon nut, as illustrated in Figure 4,

3 whereby when the jaws are manipulated to grip the axle nut, shown at 4 in Figures 2 and 4, the wrench jaws will firmly engage opposed sides of the nut and are not likely to accidentally become detached therefrom, when the wrench is rotated, as will subsequently be described.

The means for operating the jaws 3-3 is shown comprising a bolt 5, preferably having an elongated head 5 at one end and having its opposite end threaded, as shown at i, to receive an elongated nut $3. The bolt 5 is received in elongated apertures 9 provided in the opposed jaws 3-3, and washers H are preferably utilized to provide seats for the bolt head 6 and nut 8 on their respective jaws. The elongated holes 9 provide means for adjusting bolt 5 in or out to compensate for the variance of the distance of the Wheel nut from the face of the wheel hub 21.

An important feature or" the present invention resides in the means provided for facilitating the operation of guiding the jaws of the wrench into engagement with the axle nut 4. Such means is shown comprising an elongated member or shank [2 having one end supported in an aperture i3 provided in the wrench body. The intermediate portion of the shank has a transversely disposed aperture i4 therein for receiving the bolt 5, whereby the shank is operatively supported between the jaws of the wrench for convenient insertion into the bore of the tubular end portion ii of the rear axle housing 28, as will be understood by reference to Figure 2.

One end of the shank projects beyond the ends of the jaws 3 and is shown having a reduced end portion l5, whereby a shoulder it is provided at the juncture between the reduced end portion i5 and the main body of the shank it. The hubs 2i of the usual rear wheels of the vehicle are rotatably supported upon the tubular end portion ii of the rear axle housing 25! by suitable antifriction bearings, diagrammatically illustrated or indicated at 8 and iii in Figure 2. A pair of pilot washers 22 and 233 are secured to the reduced end portion it of the shank i2 and are spaced apart by a suitable spacing sleeve ii-i. A nut 25 is received in threaded engagement with the end portion E5 to detachably secure the washers 22 and 23 thereto.

The diameter of the pilot washers 22 and 23 is such that they may readily be slid into or out of nut ii of the bolt 5, whereby these parts extend outwardly into the path of the usual annularly spaced studs 26 projecting from the outer end of the wheel hub 21, as shown in Figure 2. These studs are utilized for securing the usual full floating rear axle, not shown, to the wheel hub 21, whereby said axle is disposed within the tubular fixed portion ii of the rear axle housing 26, as is well known in the art. When the rear wheel bearings 53 and it require adjustment, or the rear wheel is to be removed from the tubular axle portion H, the inner full floating rear axle must be withdrawn from the tubular housing portion H to gain entrance to the usual bearing adjusting and lock nut Q. In Figure 2 but one such nut is shown. In some structures, however, two such nuts are utilized, one as a bearing adjusting nut, and the other as a locknut.

To thus withdraw the inner full floating axle from the tubular housing portion H, the usual nuts engaged with the studs 26 are, of course, removed therefrom, after which the full floating rear axle may readily be completely withdrawn from the tubular portion Hi. When the inner full floating axle is thus removed, the lock nut is completely exposed and the wrench may then be applied thereto, as shown in Figure 2. When the wrench is so applied, the head i; and nut 8 of the bolt 5 are positioned between certain of the studs 26 of the wheel hub, whereby when the wheel is relatively rotated upon its bearings l8 and I9, diametrically opposed studs 26 of the wheel hub 2| will engage the head 6 and nut 8 of the wrench and thereby rotate the wrench to efiect the removal of the axle nut 4, as will readily be understood. The nut 4 may be returned to its original position upon the tubular housing portion ll, and firmly secured thereon by rotation of the wheel hub in the opposite direction.

When the wrench is to be utilized for removing a nut from a non-tubular axle such as the usual front wheel spindle of a vehicle, the shank i2 is detached from the wrench body by withdrawing the bolt 5 from the jaws, and may then be turned end-for-end, as shown in Figure 3. The bolt is then returned to its position in the jaws and passes through an aperture 21 provided in the adjacent end of the shank ii, the intermediate portion of the shank being supported in the aperture it provided in the end of the wrench body. When the shank i2 is thus inverted in the wrench body, the pilot end thereof, shown at the left-hand end of Figure 3, may be utilized as a handle for guiding the jaws of the wrench into engagement with the axle nut, and for supporting the wrench thereon when in use. The wrench is secured to the axle nut in the same manner as shown in Figure 2, by simply tightening the nut 8 on the bolt 5. When the wrench is to be utilized for removing the nut from a rear axle of the tubular type, shown in Figure 2, the proper diameter pilot washers 22-23 are secured to the reduced end portion 15 of the shank i2, and the pilot washers are then inserted into the bore of the axle and thereby guide the jaws of the wrench axially into engagement with the axle nut "i, as shown in Figures 2 and 4. The clamping bolt 5 is then manipulated to draw the jaws of the wrench intogripping engagement with the axle nut, after which the wheel hub 2! may be rotated to relatively rotate the wrench and thus unscrew the nut 4 from the end of the axle, as hereinbefore described. The main function of parts it, 22, 23, 25, 25 is to maintain alignment and prevent the wrench from twisting off the nut l when pressure is applied.

When the nut has been completely detached from the end of the axle, the pilot end of the wrench is withdrawn from the rear axle housing portion 5?, with the axle nut 4 supported between its jaws, as a result of the gripping engagement of the jaws therewith, thereby preventing the nut from accidentally dropping from the wrench onto the floor. If desired, the nut may remain in the wrench until it is to be returned to its position in engagement with the tubular axle portion ll. It will thus be seen that the rotary action of the wheel hub upon the tubular housing portion ll may be utilized for removing the axle nut from its position on the housing portion, should it be tightly anchored thereon, which may readily occur when the axle nut is not frequently removed. The rotary movement of the wheel may also be utilized for securing the axle nut in position on the axle, reversing the rotation of the wheel.

In some instances it may be found more desirable not to take advantage of the rotary movement of the wheel for releasing the nut, because 1 in some instances the wrench may readily be rotated by simply inserting a suitable bar through the open frame of the wrench, as will readily be understood by reference to the drawing.

The manipulation of the wrench, when removing the nut from a front wheel axle or spindle, is very similar to the operation employed when removing a rear axle nut, except that the pilot feature is not utilized, nor is the rotary action of the wheel utilized for effecting rotation of the nut. When thus used, a bar, not shown, may be inserted through the hole I4 in the shank [2 to facilitate rotating the Wrench.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible in view of the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A wrench for relatively rotating a locknut received in threaded engagement with a tubular axle housing to facilitate removal of a wheel therefrom, or adjustment of the wheel bearings, said wrench comprising a resilient U -shaped body provided at one end with co-acting jaws adapted to engage the axle nut, a bolt for operating said jaws to grip the nut, an elongated pilot member disposed between said jaws and having one end engageable with the wrench body and having its opposite end projecting beyond the ends of said jaws for insertion into said tubular axle, thereby to guide the jaws of the wrench into engagement with the axle nut and retain it in alignment therewith.

2. An axle nut wrench according to claim 1, wherein the projecting end of said elongated member has spaced pilot elements secured thereto for engaging the wall of the axle bore, thereby to guide the jaws into engagement with the axle nut.

3. An axle nut wrench according to claim 1, wherein means is provided for reversing the position of the elongated pilot member in the wrench body whereby said pilot member will project from the opposite end of the wrench body to provide a handle therefor, and whereby the wrench jaws may be operatively engaged with an axle nut of a non-tubular axle.

4. A wrench for actuating a nut received in threaded engagement with a tubular axle housing to permit the removal of a wheel therefrom or adjustment of the wheel bearings, said wrench comprising a substantially U-shaped body provided at one end with co-acting jaws adapted to engage the axle nut, an elongated member having one end supported in the wrench body and having its opposite end forming a pilot adapted to be inserted into the tubular axle housing to guide the jaws of the wrench into engagement with the axle nut and retain the wrench in alignment therewith, and a clamping bolt received in apertures provided in said jaws and in said elongated member for actuating said jaws to move them into gripping engagement with the axle nut,

5. A wrench for actuating a nut received in threaded engagement with a tubular axle having a wheel hub rotatably mounted thereon and provided at one end with a plurality of spaced studs, said wrench comprising a body provided at one end with a pair of jaws, a bolt received in apertures in said jaws and having an elongated head at one end and an elongated nut received in threaded engagement with its opposite end, a shank having one end supported in the wrench body and having its opposite end projecting beyond the ends of said jaws for insertion into the bore of the tubular axle housing, spaced pilot elements detachably secured to the projecting end of said shank for engaging the walls of the axle bore to align and guide the jaws into operative engagement with the axle nut, whereby manipulation of the bolt nut in one direction will cause the jaws of the wrench to grip the axle nut, and means whereby rotation of the wheel hub upon said tubular axle will impart rotation to the wrench and eifect rotation of the axle nut.

6. A wrench for actuating a nut received in threaded engagement with a tubular axle to permit the removal of a wheel therefrom or adjustment of the wheel bearings, said wrench comprising an integral U-shaped body provided at one end with co-acting jaws shaped to grip the opposed sides of the axle housing nut, said body being constructed of a resilient metal whereby the inherent resiliency of said metal constantly tends to return said jaws to their open positions, pilot means detachably secured to the wrench body and projecting forwardly therefrom and adapted to be inserted into the bore of the tubular axle housing, thereby to guide the jaws into engagement with the axle nut, and means carried on the wrench body for actuating said jaws to grip or release the axle nut.

'7. A wrench for actuating a locknut received in threaded engagement with one end of a tubular axle housing, said wrench comprising a body provided at one end with a pair of jaws, means for actuating said jaws to move them into gripping engagement with said locknut or to release the jaws therefrom, a shank having one end supported in the wrench body and having its opposite end projecting beyond the ends of said jaws, said projecting end being reduced in diameter and terminating at its inner end in an annular shoulder, a pilot element fitted onto said reduced end portion with one end engaging said annular shoulder and adapted to be inserted into the bore of the tubular axle, thereby to align and guide the jaws into operative engagement with the locknut secured thereto, and means received in threaded engagement with the terminal of the reduced end portion of said shank for detachably securing the pilot element thereto, and whereby elements of different diameters may be interchangeably secured to said shank to adapt the wrench for axle housings of different inside diameters.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 358,886 Russell Mar. 8, 1887 384,467 Perkins June 12, 1888 491,888 Hommel Feb. 14, 1893 567,561 Bayer et al. Sept. 8, 1896 636,456 Sauls et al. Nov. 7, 1899 877,611 Stevie Jan. 28, 1908 991,663 Stock May 9, 1911 1,129,049 Smith Feb. 16, 1915 

